Gamble Responsibly with Stake

Our Mission

Stake aims to keep responsible gambling at the centre of how the platform works and how the community grows around it. The aim is not to lecture you, but to give you enough information and tools so you can decide how far you want to go and when you want to stop. Gambling should stay a form of entertainment, not a plan to fix money problems or a habit that takes control of your life.

You are encouraged to understand the risks behind every bet, to treat wagering with care, and to set boundaries before problems appear. Education sits at the core of this approach: the more you know about how games work and how limits function, the easier it is to keep your decisions clear and honest.

Understanding Gambling Risks

Gambling always carries risk, no matter how confident you feel about a game or a match. No player can control the outcome of a spin, a roll, or a sporting event. Casino games and sports bets depend on randomness and odds, not on hot streaks or “lucky runs”. Each spin, hand, or match stands on its own.

Many people fall into the trap of thinking that a long run of losses means a win “must” be close, or that previous results tilt the next one. In reality, past outcomes do not push the next one in your favour. Stake size, time spent, or the number of rounds played have no hidden influence on what comes next.

Every game includes a house edge. That edge gives the operator a small advantage when all bets are viewed in the long term. A portion of all stakes eventually returns to the house, so you should always expect that losses are possible at any moment and that no strategy can secure steady profit.

Odds and probability show how likely a result is, but they never promise anything. A sensible outlook helps reduce impulsive bets and supports steadier habits over time.

Managing Your Gambling Activity

Staying in control starts before the first bet. It helps to decide in advance how much you are comfortable spending, how long you want to play, and what kind of games or markets you want to focus on. Other parts of life must keep their place: family, friends, work, hobbies, and rest should not move aside because gambling begins to absorb all your attention. You can use a few simple rules of thumb:

Set a clear budget for each session and stick to that number;
Decide how long you want to play and respect that limit;
Never risk money that is meant for rent, food, bills, or other essentials;
Read and understand the odds before you place a bet;
Pay attention to your feelings; if the fun drops away and stress takes over, stop;
Use the tools on the site when it is harder to rely on willpower alone.

Early changes in behaviour matter. Irritability when you cannot gamble, hiding bets from others, chasing previous losses, or losing interest in anything outside gambling can all point to trouble. Those signs should not be ignored; they are signals that a break, a limit, or outside support could be necessary.

Responsible Gambling Tools

Stake includes a range of tools for people who want extra structure around their gambling. These tools act like guard rails and help you control how much time and money goes into your account.

Loss Limits

Loss limits let you set a maximum net loss over a period of one day, one week, or one month. Winnings do not count toward this figure. Once the limit is reached, you cannot place new bets until the period resets. Unsettled bets still count, so if you hit your limit earlier than expected, it may be due to open wagers that have not settled yet.

When you decide to lower a loss limit, the change takes effect right away. When you want to raise the limit, a 24-hour cooling period applies before the higher limit becomes active.

Wager Limits

Wager limits control the total amount you stake over a selected timeframe. They focus on how much money goes through bets, not on wins or losses. After the cap is reached, no more bets can be placed until the next period starts.

If you wish to increase or remove a wager limit, a wait of 24 hours applies before the new setting takes effect. Reducing a limit, on the other hand, takes effect without delay.

Deposit Limits

Deposit limits help you control how much money you bring into your account during a given period. For fiat currency, limits are set in USD and block any extra deposits once you hit your daily cap. For cryptocurrency, amounts above the limit do not vanish; they move into a temporary “withholding” balance and are released gradually as your daily limit resets.

To set a deposit limit, you can open the Responsible Gambling section, choose the deposit limit option, enter the amount, and confirm. Limits can be adjusted or removed, but any increase or removal requires a cooling period before it comes into effect.

Deposit limits focus solely on how much you deposit. They do not control how much you lose or wager. If you want to manage those parts as well, you need to add loss or wager limits on top.

Break in Play

Sometimes a short pause feels more suitable than a full block. Break in Play gives exactly that. You can choose a break of 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, or 3 months. During that time, you cannot place bets, but you can still log in to withdraw funds if needed. Once the break ends, access returns automatically unless Stake decides that a longer pause is necessary for your safety.

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is designed for situations where gambling feels out of control or where you believe you are at high risk. It blocks your account for longer periods: from 6 months up to 10 years, or on an indefinite basis. An indefinite period always carries a minimum of 6 months before your case can be reviewed.

To request self-exclusion, you can visit the Stake Smart Self-Exclusion page, select the duration that mirrors your needs, and confirm. Once in place, the exclusion does not lift until the full period has passed. Stake may also apply self-exclusion on its own if your behaviour raises serious concerns.

Account Closure

If you no longer wish to gamble or want distance from the site for personal reasons that are not tied to problem gambling, you can ask for full account closure. You need to contact support through live chat or email. After closure, you do not receive bonuses, promotions, or access to games. A minimum period of 24 hours must pass before any request to reopen can be reviewed.

Stake may decline reactivation if checks show that gambling may not be safe for you at that time.

Protection for Minors and Vulnerable Persons

Underage gambling is against the law and not accepted on Stake. Anyone under 18 is not allowed to register, deposit, or place bets. If an account belongs to a minor, it will be blocked, and any winnings linked to that account will not be paid.

Parents and guardians can reduce the risk of underage access with a few practical steps:

Do not leave devices logged in to gambling sites when children are present;
Keep passwords private and avoid automatic log-ins;
Store payment cards and account details out of reach;
Use parental control software or filters to block gambling sites;
Keep an eye on the amount of time children spend online.

Tools such as Betblocker, Netnanny, and Gamblock can block access to many gambling platforms and support households that want extra protection.

Recognizing Problem Gambling

Gambling problems rarely begin with empty wallets; they often start with changes in mood, habits, and relationships. Money issues come later and are only one part of the picture. You can ask yourself a few honest questions:

Have your moods become more extreme or unstable?
Does gambling feel like the only thing that brings excitement or relief?
Do you struggle to sleep because of worrying about bets or losses?
Do you often feel anxious, low, or restless?
Have thoughts of self-harm or hopelessness appeared?
Do you use gambling to escape problems rather than face them?

Relationships may show pressure as well. Arguments about money, avoiding conversations about losses, lying about time spent gambling, or borrowing from friends and family without clear reasons can all point toward a growing problem.

Financial signs include delays in paying bills, growing credit card balances, payday loans, or using business or household funds to gamble. Hiding bank statements or deleting transaction histories can also be a warning sign.

The earlier you recognize these patterns, the easier it is to change direction. Support groups, counsellors, and helplines are ready to listen without judgment and can help you build a plan that brings order back to your life.

Responsible Gaming